Archives For Brent Pittman

Is Money or Time More Important to You?

Brent Pittman —  01/07/2013 — 9 Comments
Time is money

Time and Money–Which is more important? Credit Delwin Steven Campbell

Time and Money are two elusive creatures rarely seen in the wild together. As Time approaches the watering hole, Money scampers off into the brush.

I’m sure National Geographic would pay handsomely for a close-up of Time and Money battling for supremacy of the Serengeti.

As silly as this situation sounds Time vs. Money battles happen many times each day in our minds and in our wallets.

Times Vs. Money Battles

Time and money battles happen often since both are finite. There are only 24 hours in a day and only a certain amount of income each month without entering into debt.

A few common examples of time and money battles:

  • Order expensive takeout for dinner after working a 12 hour day or cook at home?
  • Choosing between DIY home projects or hiring a contractor.
  • Buying groceries and personal items online vs. shopping in person.
  • The important decision of a spouse to stay at home with a baby or return to work.

Time and Money seems to have an inverse relationship. As income increases, leisure and free time decrease. When leisure time increases, money becomes more elusive.

Is Money or Time More Important to You?

Our family has experienced this time and money quandary at different stages of life.

At our DINK stage, money was flowing in at a rapid rate and Time was lacking. We had money for dates, but less time and energy to go on dates.

As we’ve moved to self-employed life– money is harder to come by, but we have freedom and flexibility in our schedule to do what we want.

Our goal is for time and money to find a happy medium, yet I believe there will always be a dominance of Time over Money or Money over time in our lives.

What do you value more at your current stage of life? Do you value money over time or time over money? How much is your time worth?

The way you view and answer these questions regarding time and money informs multiple decisions each day.

Take a moment to determine if your values and actions about Time and Money match or if you need to make adjustments. 

In Personal Finance
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Books I’m Reading in 2013

Brent Pittman —  01/04/2013 — 2 Comments

This is a list of the books I’ve read in 2013. My goal is to read 20 non-fiction books in an effort to continue learning and growing.

If you have a book recommendation or wish to send me a book to read and possibly review–I’m open to that.

Books I’ve Read in 2013

1.  Paleo for Beginners: Essentials to Get Started

2.Currently reading  The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price (2nd Edition)

3.   Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul

4.  Composting Inside and Out: The comprehensive guide to reusing trash, saving money and enjoying the benefits of organic gardening

 

In Book Review
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Join the Debt Movement

Brent Pittman —  01/02/2013 — 2 Comments

Do you need motivation to pay off debt? Was one of your New Year’s resolutions to dump debt, but you’re not sure where to start?

I suggest joining the newly started Debt Movement for inspiration, support, and a information on how paying off debt.

What is the Debt Movement?

The debt movement is a push to help others pay off $10 million in debt in 90 days. Sounds impossible? I’m guessing this number will be much higher.

Highlights:

  • An opportunity to win a scholarship! Yep, $15K of scholarships for those who are actively paying off debt. Free money!
  • Support via Facebook, Twitter, and Google+
  • Encouragement and community on the forums of the Debt Movement.
  • Find helpful information and articles on the Debt Movement blog and newsletter.

What are you waiting for? Join the Debt Movement and start your journey to beat debt. 

I’ve also written a series of articles on How to Pay Off Debt that will help you on your debt free journey. 

In Debt
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10 Ways to Make Room for Your New Year’s Resolutions

Brent Pittman —  12/31/2012 — 7 Comments
Empty book shelves

Clear your schedule and free energy to make your new goals a reality. Credit svenwerk.

A new year is here. Wow that was fast! It’s time to create new goals and resolutions to keep you successful and moving forward in life.

In order to say yes to a new goal–you’ll need to say no to an old habit or activity.

10 Ways to Make Room for Your New Year’s Resolutions

Here are a few ways to create space for that new weight loss plan or spending plan.

1. Delete one social media account on your smart phone or ditch it completely. I left Instagram several months ago and haven’t really missed it. My friend deleted the Facebook app off his phone and gained back many minutes each day.

2. Wake Up Earlier- One of the best ways to have time for your new resolutions is to wake up earlier. You’ll be amazed what you can accomplish before the sun rises and all the kids wake up.

3. Unsubscribe- You know those dozens of newsletters, coupon sites, and other junk email you receive each day? Those valuable minutes you take reading or just hitting delete are precious. Unsubscribe or block those senders to gain back your time.

4. Turn off the Tube- Seriously, if you’re looking to make headway on those resolutions and goals–turn off the TV and gain back hours out of each day.

5. Budget Your Time- Have you ever done an audit on your schedule to see where your time is spent? Create a time budget and mark out every 15 minutes of the day to ensure those new goals have a spot in your week.

6. Block Your Computer- Try blocking social media sites during certain times of the day–like the times you’re supposed to be running or working on another goal. The best way of course is to turn off your computer and use good ole’ pen and paper.

7. Go to Bed Early- Since you’ll be waking up earlier it is only natural you’ll need to wake up earlier. Start a routine to be in bed by a certain time and prepare your wardrobe or set coffee on automatic brew to make the morning easier.

8. Wear Earphones or noise canceling headsets when you’re working to block noise and distractions during key times during the day. 

9. Dump friends or acquaintances- You don’t really need to know what your 3rd grade friend’s kids are wearing for Halloween do you? It is time to dump ‘friends’ from your online accounts that are eating time and causing you to compare and become jealous. There might even be a real-time friend that needs a few boundaries set and their time limited [I recommend the book Boundaries]

10. Check email only twice a day- Don’t be a master to your emails. Schedule several blocks of time each day to answer email and don’t be a master to the dings and chimes of email [Idea from book The 4-Hour Workweek]

I wish you much success on your new goals for this year!

How will you clear your schedule and and free up energy to accomplish your New Year’s Resolutions and goals? 

In Goal Setting & Motivation
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The Aspirin for Christmas Spending Hangovers

Brent Pittman —  12/26/2012 — 7 Comments
Do you need a cure for your overspending hangover? Credit

Do you need a cure for your overspending hangover? Credit JGlasen

Your head is pounding and eyesight blurry as you stumble out of bed towards the bathroom in case your queasy stomach decides to explode.

No, this isn’t a normal hangover due to imbibing on your family’s secret eggnog.

This is a full blown Christmas spending hangover.

Christmas Spending Hangover: The Symptoms

If you are like many this holiday season, you’ve spent too much on Christmas gifts and parties with money you really didn’t have.

You might have even charged it on high interest credit cards or opened up a new store credit card to get 10% off your purchase.

About right now your stomach may have that unwanted queasy feeling thinking,

How will I pay off my Christmas overspending binge?

Don’t worry–you’re not alone in your holiday overspending and there is a cure.

Christmas Spending Hangover: The Asprin

If you want to clear your head from overspending this holiday there is an aspirin that can help.

Hard work.

Yes, I know that that isn’t the cure you wanted to hear and you’re about to click away from this article, but stick with me a minute.

It will be worth it. Your relationships will benefit. Your stress level will decrease. Peace will abound.

How can this happen? Hard work.

Hopefully you can make a few sacrifices with your budget to get back on financial track and minimize your holiday spending binge.

For others this Christmas overspending may be a symptom of a lifestyle of overspending, debt, and lack of financial planning.

If that is you–start by reading and applying my How to Budget Like a Pro series and plan to avoid overspending next year.

Christmas Spending Hangover: Avoiding Next Year

If you’ve experienced a holiday spending hangover, I hope you’re motivated to avoid the headache again and have a debt free Christmas next year.

Use these tips to avoid overspending next Christmas and have a Christmas with no regrets:

Budget for Christmas each month. If you want to have Christmas money to spend in December, start saving in January.

Say you’d like to have $1,200 to spend on Christmas–you’ll just need to set aside $100 each month from your monthly budget. It really is that easy.

Plan your spending by using something like this awesome downloadable Christmas Budget form.

Buy less stuff for your kids next year. Try this as a Christmas gift idea for your kids next year

Buy something:

1) they need

2) they want

3) to wear

4) to read

I hope you find the aspirin for your Christmas overspending hangover and realize that a debt free Christmas is worth the hard work.

If you need financial help or have a question about debt and budgeting–I’m glad to help Email brent at ontargetcoach dot com

In Holiday
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